Spotify lets everyone listen to music for free, but if you want a bit more convenience or comfort, you may need to pay for it with your money.
Spotify's free tier is ad-supported. Even though it was recently updated to allow on-demand listening without shuffling, ads are still everywhere. On the free plan, you'll encounter ads right in the middle of your favorite playlists or interrupting a podcast. Premium promises an ad-free experience, and most users expect that - even if they aren't on Premium.
So what can you do about it? There are different ways to remove ads. If you want to download ad-free music for offline listening as regular audio files that work anywhere, our ViWizard Spotify Music Converter can help. It works for both Premium and free users. This gives you a more ad-free experience and acts as a safer workaround with a simple setup.
Download Spotify music, podcasts and audiobooks as MP3 and more. Keep full sound and listen offline anytime.
Way 1: Upgrade to Spotify Premium (Official Ad-Free Method)
If you've been using Spotify for a while, you probably already know this one, but it bears repeating: Premium gets rid of music ads. Playlists, albums, singles - they're all uninterrupted. Podcasts are a slightly different story. There's a new advertising format during podcasts called call-to-action cards that replace URLs or coupon codes during host ad breaks. Even Premium can't block host-read ads or sponsorship messages, but think of it as a pause button to grab a coffee while creators keep making great content. You can skip forward in 15-second increments, too. Premium ensures ad-free and unlimited listening, and the free trial is a great way to test it. Offline mode is handy if you only need access to your downloads and recently played tracks, avoiding any online ads that pop up.
Note: Free trials are great for newcomers, but they don't help if you've already used one. You may need to subscribe directly or try ViWizard instead.
- Pros
- Completely ad-free
- Works on all devices
- Offline listening and unlimited skips
- High audio quality
- Cons
- Requires paid subscription
- Open the Spotify app on your phone or computer.
- Go to your account settings and check that your subscription is Premium.
- Play a playlist or album. You should hear no ads and have unlimited skips.
- Try a podcast episode to see how it works. Keep in mind, Premium doesn't remove host-read ads inside podcasts.
- If ads still show, close and reopen the app to refresh your account.
Way 2: Download Spotify Music for Offline Listening (Ad-Free)
If you don't have Premium, you can still save playlists, albums, or singles directly to your device and avoid ads completely by playing them in your preferred media player. Both Premium and free users can use this method, and ViWizard Spotify Music Converter makes it easy. It's a one-time solution that gives free users the same benefits as Premium, letting you listen offline, ad-free, and with more control.
Here's how it works: choose the songs or playlists from your Spotify library, select a format like MP3, and ViWizard removes the ads during conversion. Once done, your music is ready to play on any device or media player - no Premium subscription needed. Many users love ViWizard for its convenience and simplicity. If you're tired of ads interrupting your music, this might be the perfect solution.
- Pros
- No ads during offline playback
- Can listen without internet
- Saves mobile data
- Cons
- Requires Spotify Premium
- Only works for downloaded tracks
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
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- Download Spotify songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks extremely fast at up to 15x speed
- Convert Spotify into MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Lets you play Spotify tracks offline on any device without restrictions
- Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS, supporting the built-in Spotify Web Player
- Download and install ViWizard Spotify Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer.
- Open the program, and sign in with your Spotify account. Free and Premium accounts both work.
- Find the songs, albums, or playlists you want. You can paste the Spotify link into ViWizard or use the built-in search.
- Click the + button to add your selected music to the conversion list.
- Go to Preferences > Convert and set your output format. MP3 is the most common choice, but you can also pick AAC, FLAC, or other formats.
- Adjust extra settings like bit rate, sample rate, or how you want the output folder organized.
- Click Convert to start. ViWizard will save your songs in the format you chose and remove restrictions.
- Once finished, open the output folder. You can play them ad-free on any device.
Step 4
Way 3: Upload and Play Local Music Files via Spotify (Ad-Free)
Did you know Spotify can play your own music files? Upload local tracks from your computer, and suddenly you have an ad-free playlist mixing your library with Spotify songs. Works for both free and Premium users, and it's an easy way to escape ads without touching subscriptions or extensions. If you want to access local files on the mobile app, you may need a Premium subscription for Wi-Fi syncing.
- Pros
- Completely ad-free
- Works with any local music files
- No subscription required for local files
- Cons
- Doesn't include Spotify playlists or recommendations
- Manual file management required
- Open the Spotify app on your desktop.
- Go to Settings > Your Library and toggle on "Show Local Files."
- Add a source folder where your saved songs are stored.
- Your local music will appear under the Local Files section in Spotify.
- Create a playlist, add your local tracks, and play them without any ads.
Way 4: Use a Spotify Ad-Blocker App or Browser Extension
If you mostly listen on your computer, an ad-blocker can help reduce interruptions. Tools like uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus, and some others stop ads from showing on the web. And more apps like EZBlocker and SpotX also support the desktop app. Effectiveness varies, and the core functions may be limited. Most users notice a big reduction in interruptions. It's a neat workaround if you like streaming online without ads.
- Pros
- Blocks most ads on desktop
- Can be free
- Easy to enable/disable
- Cons
- Desktop/web only
- May violate Spotify Terms of Service
- Some ad-blockers carry security risks
BlockTheSpot:
- BlockTheSpot is a tool made for the Spotify desktop app. Once installed, it removes audio, video, and banner ads so your music plays without breaks. Most people say it works smoothly, even after Spotify updates. Sometimes an ad may sneak through, but overall it gives a clean, ad-free experience. If you use Spotify on desktop, this is a solid choice.
SpotX:
- SpotX is similar to BlockTheSpot but with extra options. Besides blocking ads, it can also hide things like podcasts or audiobooks, leaving the app focused on music. People who like customizing their Spotify often pick this one. Like BlockTheSpot, it only works on desktop.
EZBlocker:
- EZBlocker doesn't remove ads completely - it mutes them instead. It runs quietly in the background and silences ads while keeping the rest of your system audio normal. Many users like it because it's easy to set up and doesn't change Spotify itself. If muting ads is enough for you, this app does the trick.
uBlock Origin:
- uBlock Origin is a free browser extension that blocks ads on many sites, including Spotify's web player. It's quick to install, simple to use, and lets you adjust settings if you want. It usually blocks most Spotify ads, though updates can sometimes slip through. If you listen on a browser, it's one of the best options.
AdBlock Plus:
- AdBlock Plus works much like uBlock Origin. It's easy to set up and blocks most ads on Spotify's web player. Some ads may still get through, but for users who just want something simple without extra steps, it's a reliable pick.
Way 5: Mute or Skip Ads Automatically
Some apps can mute or skip ads automatically. Mutify and AdGuard are popular options. They don't require Premium, and they give you extra control over when and how ads appear.
- Pros
- Reduces ad interruptions
- Works automatically on desktop
- Can be free
- Cons
- Doesn't remove ads completely
- May violate Terms of Service
- Setup can be technical
Mutify (Android):
- Mutify is an Android app that mutes Spotify ads in the background. It's free, light, and doesn't need changes to Spotify itself. Some users mention it can use more battery or glitch when the screen is off, but it's a handy fix for quick, quieter listening.
AdGuard:
- AdGuard works across your whole system, blocking ads in apps, browsers, and even Spotify. Most users say it works well, though sometimes it needs tweaks to run smoothly with Spotify. It's a good choice if you want ad blocking not just in music, but everywhere.
Way 6: Use DNS-Level Blocking to Reduce Ads
This method is more technical but powerful. By tweaking your network or router settings, you can stop Spotify from loading ad servers. It works on multiple devices at once, but you need some know-how. When set up correctly, it can make your home network nearly ad-free.
- Pros
- Can block ads for multiple devices on the same network
- No app installation needed
- Cons
- Complex to configure
- May break Spotify updates or other apps
- Not guaranteed long-term
- Open the DNS settings on your router or device.
- Replace your default DNS with a service that blocks ads, like AdGuard DNS.
- Save the changes and restart your device or router.
- Open Spotify and start playing music. Many ad servers should now be blocked automatically.
Way 7: Use a VPN That Blocks Spotify Ads
Some VPNs include ad-blocking features. Surfshark's CleanWeb, for example, filters Spotify ads at the network level. Results vary depending on the server and your setup, but it's another tool for listeners who want fewer interruptions.
- Pros
- Can reduce ads on some devices
- Protects privacy while streaming
- Cons
- Limited effectiveness
- Can slow down streaming
- Unreliable for long-term use
- Go to the website of a VPN provider like Surfshark or NordVPN.
- Sign up for a plan and download the VPN app for your device.
- Open the app, log in, and enable the ad-blocking feature (for example, Surfshark's CleanWeb).
- Choose a server location and connect to it.
- Open Spotify Web Player in your browser and play your music without interruptions.
Way 8: Adjust Your Device's Hosts File to Block Ads
Advanced users can edit their computer's hosts file to block Spotify ad servers. This works on Windows and Mac and offers a more permanent solution. But be careful - incorrect edits can cause system issues. Always back up your hosts file before making changes.
- Pros
- Free and ad-free playback
- Works without third-party apps
- Cons
- Technical and risky
- Can break Spotify or other apps
- Temporary solution, often needs updates
- Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
- Right-click the hosts file and choose "Open with" > "Notepad."
- At the bottom, add lines like:
0.0.0.0 adclick.g.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 adeventtracker.spotify.com
- Save the file and close Notepad.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator and type
ipconfig /flushdns. - Close and reopen Spotify to apply changes.
- Open Finder and go to /private/etc/.
- Open the hosts file with a text editor.
- Add the same ad-blocking lines at the bottom.
- Save the file and close the editor.
- Open Terminal and type:
sudo dscacheuil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- Enter your admin password if asked.
- Restart Spotify to enjoy an ad-free session.
Way 9: Install Modded Spotify Apps or APKs (Unofficial)
Finally, there's the wildcard: modded apps like xManager or Spotify ReVanced. Free users can access some Premium features, including ad-free playback, and the apps often include tools for cache management and settings tweaks. They're unofficial, though, so there's risk - potential account bans or security issues. Use at your own discretion, and a VPN can be handy here.
- Pros
- Removes all ads completely
- Unlocks Premium features for free
- Cons
- Illegal and violates Spotify Terms of Service
- High risk of malware or account bans
- Unstable, may not receive updates
Spotify ReVanced (Android):
- Spotify ReVanced is a modded version of the app that unlocks Premium-like features, including ad-free listening and unlimited skips. Many users love it for the full experience, but it comes with risks - possible malware, broken updates, or account bans. It's powerful but not official, so caution is needed.
xManager (Android):
- xManager helps Android users run different modified versions of Spotify. It gives access to Premium-like features and lets you pick the version you want. The flexibility is nice, but the risks are the same as with other mods: security issues, bugs, and possible bans. It's popular with advanced users who know what they're doing.
Conclusion
For those methods mentioned in this post, using a Spotify converter is the most reliable and safe solution, since editing host files is too much complicated and using a Spotify ads remover is too risky. And another advantage is that you can download Spotify songs for listening on any device after conversion with ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. In addition to the above methods, you can still choose to join Spotify Premium with Spotify 6 month free trial or upgrade to Spotify Family Plan or Duo Plan to remove Spotify ads.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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